Restraining device



1936. J. LAWRENCE RESTRAINING DEVICE Filed March 8, 1935 7ZU87ZZL0-71' W ram M Patented Dec. 1 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to restraining devices, and more particularly to an improvement over the restraining jacket of my prior Patent No. 1,236,454 issued August 14, 1917.

A principal object of the invention is the provision of a relatively inexpensive restraining jacket for irrational or insane persons to prevent them from injuring themselves or others, and still allow them limited movement and free use of their arms, hands and feet.

Another important object of my invention is the provision in such a restraining device for very easy adjustment to suit the size of the patient.

Numerous other objects and advantages of'the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description, which, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

On the drawing,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a restraining device embodying the features of my invention when seen from the rear and unattached;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view through the lower part of the back member; and

Fig. 3 is a detail view of the manner in which an end of a lacing member may be secured to the jacket part of the restrainer.

Referring to the drawing, a preferred construction of my restraining jacket therein shown comprises a front or chest member I I having neck and shoulder engaging extensions I2 which are joined together by and continue as a split back member 13. The lower part of the front member II is integral with and extends laterally as belt or waist members l4 and IS. The back member I3 is split longitudinally for a part of its length from the top downwardsto form overlappable portions l6 and H. The lower part of the back member I3 is folded back up and sewed or otherwise fastened to itself as at Is to form a loop portion l9 through which the rear ends of the belt members l4 and I5 are adapted to be threaded in overlapping relation. The several outside edges of these various members are bound with and protected by a suitable beading 2|. The overlapping back members It and I1 and the belt or waist members l4 and l5 are provided at convenient points with eyelet holes reinforced with fiat grommets 22 of brass or other suitable material through which are threaded lacing members 23 and 24 one end of each of which may be sewed into or otherwise suitably fastened as at 25 and 26 to the members I! and M, respectively.

Firmly attached tothe waist or belt members [4 and 15, respectively, are anchor straps 21 and through the top eyelets a plurality of times as at" 3|, from which point the lacing is threaded through the lower grommets. The belt members are similarly fitted snugly around the patient and the lacing 24 threaded through suitable eyelets and tied at a point out of the patients reach as shown and described in my above mentioned prior patent. The free end of lacing 23 may be looped around and tied to the lacing 24 as at 32, or only one lacing may be used in place of the two as shown.

After the jacket has been suitably and effectually laced upon the patient, the anchor straps 21 and 28 are or may be fastened out of reach of the patient to any convenient structure such as the bed, as fully shown and described in my prior Patent No. 1,236,454.

Any suitable material may be employed in the construction of the device, such as ducking, canvas, leather, linen, etc., or any combination thereof, and the members of the jacket, though relatively restricted in area, may be perforated for purposes of ventilation without detracting from the efiiciency of the apparatus.

It will be apparent that with my present construction the restraining device may be used on any size patient; that the tying points are out of the reach of the patient; that it may be worn next to the skin without any resulting irritation; I

out departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

l claim:

shoulder portions to a point adjacent the loop, portions of said back member adjacent said slit being perforated so as to permit lacing of the slitted portion, tying means attached to said belt members whereby the restraining device may be 5 tied to some'relatively immovable object.

JAMES LAWRENCE 

